Press Release

Chamber musicians present season finale concert
and lead extraordinary mentoring program

Columbia, SC – Artistic director and internationally acclaimed cellist Edward Arron hosts the fifth and final chamber music concert in the 2012-2013 season at the Columbia Museum of Art on Tuesday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. featuring violinist Aaron Boyd, violinist Jesse Mills and violist Che-Yen Chen performing works by Beethoven, Janáček and Paganini.

“For our final concert of the season, we celebrate the most treasured chamber music genre of all: the String Quartet,” Arron said. “I will be joined by CMA’s favorite violinists, Jesse Mills and Aaron Boyd, as well as the extraordinary violist, Che-Yen Chen, who makes his Columbia debut. The program includes a virtuosic quartet by Paganini; Janacek's epic 'Kreutzer Sonata' Quartet; and Beethoven's beloved third 'Razumovsky' Quartet.”

Arron brings to the Museum and to the people of Columbia a unique and intimate concert experience during performances and one that extends beyond the concert.

For the fourth consecutive year, the CMA provides a unique opportunity for middle school students in Richland District One through a mentoring program. Nearly 80 students travel to the CMA on Tuesday, April 30 for an exclusive opportunity to meet with Arron and other musicians. “We are looking forward to inspiring these students with music,” Arron said. Students attend a world-class performance by Arron, Mills, Boyd and Chen, learn about instrumentation, being a professional musician and about music selections from the final concert.

“This opportunity for students to witness world-class chamber music played in a superior environment is unique. Additionally, the personal connection our students have with these talented musicians will impact their lives for years to come,” Richland One Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, Nancy Pope, said. “Edward’s connection to our community is admirable and makes such a difference in the lives of these students.”

The Columbia Museum of Art believes everyone should have access to dynamic chamber music. A concert ticket is $35 / $30 for members and only $5 for students. All seats are on a first-come, first-served basis. To purchase tickets, visit columbiamuseum.org. The 2012-2013 concert season is presented by U.S. Trust.

The chamber music series continues in the fall. Upcoming concert dates are Thursday, October 31, 2013, Wednesday, December 11, 2013, Thursday, February 13, 2014, Thursday, March 13, 2014 and Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. Each performance provides an intimate concert setting in the Museum’s DuBose-Poston Reception Hall. Program information for each concert will be available at columbiamuseum.org.